ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes

January 6, 2010

Community Development/Engineering Services Building – 51 Winburn Way – Siskiyou Room

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 5:00 pm

Historic Commissioners Present: Dale Shostrom, Terry Skibby, Sam Whitford, Alex Krach, Keith Swink, James Watkins, Henry Baker, Tom Giordano

Commission Members Absent:  Allison Renwick

Council Liaison: Eric Navickas, absent

High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner: Derek Severson; Clerk: Billie Boswell

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Giordano moved to approve the November 4, 2009 minutes as presented and the motion was seconded by Mr. Baker.   Mr. Whitford, Mr. Krach and Mr. Swink abstained due to being absent.   The minutes were approved unanimously by the remaining Commissioners.

PUBLIC FORUM:   There being no one wishing to speak, Chairman Shostrom closed the Public Forum.

PUBLIC HEARING:

PLANNING ACTION:  2009-01520

SUBJECT PROPERTY:    163 N. Pioneer

OWNER/APPLICANT:  Intatto Coffee, LLC (Terrill, Douglas & Leslie)

DESCRIPTION:   A request for a Site Review approval to renovate the existing building at 163 North Pioneer Street into a coffee shop with on-site coffee roasting.   COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Commercial; ZONING: C-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09 BB; TAX LOT: 12600

Chairman Shostrom confirmed there were no ex parte contacts or any conflicts of interest.

Mr. Severson explained that most of the changes would be interior with just exterior painting and installation of a covered bike rack.

The owners, Douglas and Leslie Terrill said they would also be adding concrete pavers for a parking space in the front.  There was discussion about the location of the bike racks.  The Commissioners preferred them to be attached to the building structure or the porch as opposed to sitting unattached in the front yard.

There being no further questions and no one in the audience to speak, the public hearing was closed.

Mr. Skibby felt it would be a positive improvement to the area.  He did have some concern over the parking and bike parking area.  Mr. Whitford agreed that it would be a good use to retain the original structure.  Mr. Swink thought the commercial use would eliminate the run-down residential look.

Mr. Watkins was concerned about the signage.  Mr. Severson said it would come in under a separate permit and be reviewed by the Historic Review Board.

Chairman Shostrom made a motion to recommend approval with the condition that covered bike parking be placed either on the porch or to the side of the building, that the pavers be continued down the side, and that the sign be reviewed by the Historic Review Board.  Mr. Giordano seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:   

A.  Proposed Ordinance Changes – City Municipal Code, Chapter 2.10.  Mr. Severson said he has passed on the Historic Commissioner’s comments regarding their review of public art within the historic districts.

B.  Review Board Schedule

C.  Project Assignments For Planning Actions – Add 163 N Pioneer.  Show permit expiration dates on report.

D.  Exits 14 & 19 – Mr. Giordano said there was no new report

E.  Follow-Up Discussion -Demolition Ordinance Noticing Options – Mr. Severson reported that the City is working on a modification to our website to allow automated notification of demolition and planning actions posted on the website.   Chairman Shostrom discussed the existing rules.  Mr. Krach said it matters if there are historic resources involved and feels the Commission should have the opportunity to at least educate owners or potential owners regardless of whether or not they are in a Historic District.  Mr. Severson said there is Oregon State law that says a structure can not be discriminated against due to historic age because it would be considered a taking of development rights.  Our demo code was based on the age of a structure as it relates to the building materials used in older buildings that are potentially dangerous and how those materials are disposed of in the waste stream.

NEW BUSINESS:

A.  Croman Mill Plan – Commission Recommendations – Mr. Swink and the Commissioners discussed options for providing historic names to be used in the development of the Croman Site.  Mr. Watkins suggested Mr. Skibby and Mr. Swink work together to provide the names.  The Commissioners agreed.

B.  City Council Goals – Mr. Severson added the Commission’s recommendation to amend the sustainability goal to add “while at the same time recognizing that reinvestment in and rehabilitation of historic resources is inherently sustainable”.

C.  Preservation Month/Week – The Commissioners agreed to schedule the 2010 Historic Preservation week for May 9-15^th and use the “Old is the New Green” theme.  They requested that letters be mailed to the registered historic homes and the downtown businesses to invite them to host an open house during Preservation Week.  Ms. Boswell agreed to draft an invitation letter and create the mailing list.

D.  Oregon Heritage Conference in Jacksonville – The Commissioners discussed  joining the Oregon Historic Preservation League of Oregon and helping to sponsor a workshop at the April 21-22, 2010 Conference to be held in Jacksonville. 

Chairman Shostrom made a motion to approve the subscription of $50 to the Oregon Historic Preservation League and help sponsor a workshop with Medford and Jacksonville by paying a 1/3 share of the $500 cost using grant funds from the upcoming CLG grant cycle . Mr. Whitford seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:   

A.  Mr. Krach said he had been in contact with the owner of 440 Granite Street through Mark Knox to arrange a meeting to discuss alternatives to demolishing the historic home.  Mr. Whitford said he would like to see the home moved to another lot or to another part of the property as a guest house.  Mr. Severson reminded the Commissioners that a meeting involving more than 3 commissioners would require public noticing for a sub-committee meeting.  Mr. Krach said he would notify every one of the date and time.  Staff agreed to coordinate any noticing requirements once they knew who all would be attending.

B.  The Commissioners discussed changing their regular meeting time to 5:00 pm.  Any public hearings on the agenda would be held at the end of the meeting (approximately 5:30 pm). 

Mr. Whitford made a motion to change the regular Historic Commission meeting to 5:00 pm with public hearings held at the end of the meeting. Mr. Watkins seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

C.  Tree Commission Walking Tour – The Commissioners asked Mr. Skibby to coordinate with the Tree Commission to schedule a walking tour during Historic Preservation week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m.